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Month: October 2016

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This is another example of Jeezy showing how to make trap music with more of a refined polished sound that will land with a wider audiance. While there is a lot of trap influenced music right now, Jeezy shows how he helped ot kick off the movement.

The production is good as it is energetic and gritty when it needs to be while becoming softer for the more emotional stuff. While there is a lot going on in each beat, it never eclipses the artists which is a major issue in rap these days. It could be argued that a few different influences would help make a more balanced project, but this is supposed to be a total trap release, so this is not a reasonable criticism.

The lyricism is not overly complicated but still hits hard with the listener. Jeezy has a powerful delivery that accentuates his rhymes so that they are still entertaining without a huge amount of intricacy. Some more complex attempts with the raps could have improved this project, but Jeezy knows what his fans want and he fills that criteria perfectly.

The features do great jobs and help build on the work Jeezy does on the tracks. Each has great chemistry with Jeezy which helps make the tracks flow easier. A few more singers could help give another dimension to the project but would not necessarily fit with the style of beat and music.

Overall, this is a good trap offering but may not be a mainstream success. However, Jeezy has crafted a project that his fans can still enjoy and shows he is still a force to be reckoned with.

This album is the album fans have been waiting for. Joe Budden does some of his finest work on this project with something for all Hip Hop fans and none of which disappoints.

The production is clean but brutal which works well with Joe Budden pouring his emotions into the tracks. There is a range of styles and influences on the beats that help reflect the topics discussed throughout the release. Budden has chosen beats that not only he raps well over, but that also help emphasise the point of the track.

The lyricism is fantastic as expected from one quarter of one of the most lyrical rap groups of the modern age. The imagery is more than impressive with detail in his metaphors and similes helping to paint a vivid picture for the listener. There is no doubt on each song how Budden feels unless he himself doesn’t know which would be reflected in the rhymes.

The features are good and don’t stop the project feeling cohesive. Each does a great job showing their own skills while also pushing the main artist to do more in their own work. Where a guest is featured however, these songs have a tendency to run long, like Joe doesn’t want to give up any of his own time, and while this isn’t true in all cases, he may want to look at keeping the songs consistent and balanced.

Overall, this level of project has been a long time coming from Joe Budden and fans have finally got the album from him that they feel he deserves to make. Hopefully he will continue on this path with any future releases.

This is a very interesting release as Danny Brown continues his psychedelic and somewhat psychotic approach to his music with results that push the experimental envelope. Fortunately there are some gems in all the confusion that make this a success.

The production is certainly different with a lot of unusual sounds and patterns used to make an unusual feel that helps somewhat to explain the album title. While not conventional beats used as a backing, they do all work with Brown’s style and with the guest appearances. It may not be for everyone, it does prove that making music does not have to be formulaic as it so often is in mainstream Hip Hop.

The lyricism is clever with Danny Brown showing he can write clever lines about a range of subject matter while keeping his signature tone and flow. He works with the range of production to make emotional songs as well as tracks for the recreational drug user and even high energy offerings. Listeners should be able to find rhymes for everyone on this particular project.

The features are good as they don’t fill the project while helping to elevate it to new heights. Brown selects some A-List acts to prove he can rap with the best and does so with gusto. it will be interesting to see who he chooses to work with in the future as he is already close to the Hip Hop elite.

Overall, this is a very entertaining listen because it is so different. Few artists would try something so experimental, or be able to pull it off so well. Danny Brown should be celebrated for even attempting this, let alone for how well he has crafted it.

This album is a great reflection of 1992 as a year from Game’s perspective but it lacks luster for a high level of replay ability. While very open about his life and experiences, it does mean there are more emotional and deep tracks without the aggressive edge he excels at.

The production is great for the tracks they are used for. While not a lot of high energy street grit that he is known for, the beats allow for the deeper cuts to really land with the listener and let the message sink in. Some of the aggression he has put into other projects may be what his fans are looking for, but it is great to see Game showing more of his emotional side.

The lyricism is the usual greatness with his delivery helping to boost his performance. Each of the songs has a good level of wordplay and other lyrical devices that help with the imagery of the bars. There are no issues with his performance as he changes tempo and flow masterfully.

Overall, this is an enjoyable project but it won’t have the longevity that his previous efforts will. While some of the tracks will continue to be played, most will not stand the test of time, although it is good to see he can make entertaining songs without features to fall back on.